It took Abdul Carter all of one week to realize that showing up and staying awake could pay dividends. The New York Giants rookie linebacker had the best game of his young career against the Washington Commanders.
Related: 2 winners (and 3 losers) from Giants' deflating Week 15 loss to the Commanders
Although the G-Men lost the game 29-21, Carter came away as a big winner. The 22-year-old registered a sack and three tackles for loss, including forcing two fumbles, recovering one of them. It turns out when the third overall pick actually plays 60 minutes -- and isn’t benched for being late -- he can make quite the impact.
Recently, that’s been a big if. He’d been suspended twice in the past three games, once for an opening drive and once for an opening quarter, for missing meetings and sleeping through walkthroughs. But it wasn’t just Giants fans who were impressed with Carter’s breakout. Star defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence took note of the rookie’s performance, but was also quick to pour ice water on expectations if Carter slips back into old habits.
Dexter Lawrence just said what Giants fans are thinking about Abdul Carter
While speaking with reporters after the game, Lawrence was asked if Carter's performance proved he can respond to criticism. The 28-year-old defensive captain didn't mince words, saying:
"Yeah, for one week. Greatness is doing it over weeks. Being consistent. That's what he can get to. He's just got to stick with the process and understand who he is and keep that approach to the game every week."
That certainly sounds like a guy who’s sick of talking about anything but football. It has to be infuriating for Lawrence, who's just trying to win at this point in his career, to field questions about a teammate’s off-field issues instead of talking ball... a third overall pick's self-inflicted problems, no less.
Sexy Dexy's answer said it all. It was the perfect mix of frustration, common sense, and encouragement. He clearly wants the former Penn State standout to succeed, but at the same time, he understands that greatness isn't something that's given; it's earned.
And that it starts by doing the little things.
Everyone watching Sunday's Commanders matchup came to the same conclusion: If Carter plays like this every week, he's going to be a very special player. Hopefully seeing the immediate results following his best week of practice will do all the convincing he needs to "stick with the process."
It’s crazy that it’s Week 15, and we’re talking about effort concerns at the professional level, but if the shoe fits... If Carter can build on this breakout and carry it into 2026, Giants fans might finally have a reason to believe better days are ahead.